Recap: Chicago Cubs vs. Miami

Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Junior Lake homered twice as the Chicago Cubs extended their winning streak with a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday in the middle test of a three-game set from Wrigley Field.

Lake's solo homers, as well as a two-run shot by Emilio Bonifacio, backed a terrific outing from starter Jeff Samardzija (2-5), who struck out eight and allowed a pair of runs on five hits over seven innings.

Chicago outhit Miami 11-5 and has won the first two games of this series, extending its winning streak to five games.

"I really love how we're playing right now as a team in all phases," Samardzija said. "I love the way we're swinging it right now and as a pitcher it gives you a lot of confidence to go out there and pound the zone."

Randy Wolf (1-2), who picked up his first win since Sept. 13, 2012 last time out, was roughed up for four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings in this one. Christian Yelich went 2-for-4 with a home run for Miami, losers in two straight following a four-game sweep of Tampa Bay.

"I thought he pitched alright," Miami manager Mike Redmond said of Wolf. "He kept us in the game. He gave us a chance."

Miami led only briefly following Yelich's solo homer to center to open the scoring in the top of the third. Bonifacio erased Chicago's deficit and put the hosts in front in the home half, following Samardzija's single with a two- run homer to left.

Lake padded the lead with a two-out home run to center in the fifth.

The Marlins stayed within a run when Giancarlo Stanton scored on a Casey McGehee groundout a half inning later, but a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth allowed Starlin Castro to scamper home and give the Cubs a two-run cushion.

Lake's second homer of the game in the bottom of the seventh resulted in the final margin.

Wesley Wright and Justin Grimm combined to get through the eighth inning and Pedro Strop pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save of the season.

Game Notes

Jake Arrieta will toe the slab in Sunday's series finale for the Cubs and will
be opposed by Henderson Alvarez, who hasn't allowed a run in his last three
starts (21 innings) ... Lake, Castro, Anthony Rizzo and Darwin Barney all
had two hits for the Cubs ... Chicago has won eight of nine at home.